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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
prayer and who have their conversation in heaven, whence they look
for the Saviour. We do not feel overanxious for youth to go to Battle
Creek who profess to be Sabbath-keepers but who indicate by their
choice of companions their low state of morals.
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The door of our college will ever be open to those who are not
professors of religion, and the youth coming to Battle Creek may have
this irreligious society if it is their choice. If they have right motives
in associating with these and sufficient spiritual strength to withstand
their influence they may be a power for good; while they are learners
they may become teachers. The true Christian does not choose the
company of the unconverted for love of the atmosphere surrounding
their irreligious lives or to excite admiration and secure applause, but
for the purpose of communicating light and knowledge, and bringing
them up to a noble, elevated standard, the broad platform of eternal
truth.
One person with pure motives, intent on becoming intelligent that
he may make a right use of his abilities, will be a power for good in
the school. He will have a molding influence. When parents justify
the complaints of their children against the authority and discipline of
the school, they do not see that they are increasing the demoralizing
power which now prevails to such a fearful extent. Every influence
surrounding the youth needs to be on the right side, for youthful
depravity is increasing.
With worldly youth, the love of society and pleasure becomes
an absorbing passion. To dress, to visit, to indulge the appetite and
passions, and to whirl through the round of social dissipation appears to
be the great end of existence. They are unhappy if left in solitude. Their
chief desire is to be admired and flattered, and to make a sensation in
society; and when this desire is not gratified, life seems unendurable.
Those who will put on the whole armor of God and devote some
time every day to meditation and prayer and to the study of the Scrip-
tures will be connected with heaven and will have a saving, trans-
forming influence upon those around them. Great thoughts, noble
aspirations, clear perceptions of truth and duty to God, will be theirs.
They will be yearning for purity, for light, for love, for all the graces
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of heavenly birth. Their earnest prayers will enter into that within
the veil. This class will have a sanctified boldness to come into the
presence of the Infinite One. They will feel that heaven’s light and